Cassie-photo-Jones

Summer: From Santa Barbara, CA to Downtown Stevens Point, WI

2009-09-25T09:03:00.010-05:00

I'm sick of blogger - so it looks crazy right now so you can view the full images.. I will be switiching to another blog-host soon!

It's been a long time since I've posted.

Today is one of those, rainy, dark, windy days. It marks the beginning of a season of days becoming much shorter and much chillier. Besides my fanatical urge to bake as the weather declines, I am also in school, which should take up some good time of mine and of which I hope to complete rather quickly with a double work-load. Wisconsin winters are not kind and will, most likely, chill me to my bones before I know it. What happened to Summer? Well, it just sort of felt like an extended Spring.. and now, all of the sudden, Autumn is drizzling and blustering outside my window.

My California:

I did have the opportunity to visit long remembered places. I went back to where I came from, or at least to my early childhood. When I was very young and my Father was stationed at Vandenburg, AFB, in California, near Lompoc, we lived on-base, until I was almost 4. When I went on vacation, this August, I was really looking forward to seeing the little ranch with parkay floors on the clean and primped blocks of the base. But to my shock, my house was gone. I called my Mom, myself in tears, over the twilight-zone type experience it was. The streets, the shrubs, the driveways and trees, all remained untouched, though overgrown. The houses have been mysteriously removed. No homes, but everything remains. I can't explain what it feels like to have the memory so strong that you feel like you can reach out and touch it; when you finally come face to face with that memory and it no longer exists, it is crushing and confusing. Beyond the confusion, I saw and did and ate and had a beautiful and relaxing time. It was incredible, to understate things.

I was not in photo-mode on this trip. I was in, relax-and-go along for the ride-and-enjoy life, mode. As a result, I made few photos of any substance at all. Now, looking back I wish I had made real photos.. but eh, such is life. There is always another opportunity.

Off of the Santa Barbara Wharf.

Retired Drive-in movie, viewed from a distance; flower field in Lompoc, CA. My parents used to take my sister(Truly) and I to the drive in on the weekends. We would fall asleep in the back seat, while my parents got to enjoy a movie together. It's now a recycle center of some kind.

Eucalyptus in Vandenburg, AFB, CA. One of my most favourite smells and most vivid sensory memories of California from my childhood. I love it so much.

Perhaps I will post more of California another time. Here are some photos from around town and of my daughters that I have taken in the last few weeks. I was in much need of a photographic pep talk and I've finally snapped myself out of the photo-less funk I was in. I mean I was taking pictures or snapshots.. but I wasn't caring or even attempting to do something thoughtful. Well I am sick of myself for that and decided enough was enough. So, here's to making photos(a little rusty, but maybe better for it) and thank you also for THIS. It was quite inspiring and a ginormous pep-talk within itself. Great stuff; cheers!!

At Guu's. One of the only girls at this Pub who wasn't a bleach-blonde, plastic personality.

I just like this. It looks quiet, but really it's not at all.

Um.. a random metal show, of sorts, at the Afterdark. I walked in just before it ended.

Another.

Another night, at Guu's, I went to shoot, for fun, The Mark Little Band(MLB). I was only there for an hour, but I think I did alright. Dan Mitchell, below.

Mark Little.

That's Ben Petree holding that dragging drumstick.

Ah, and there's Ben Petree, himself.

Every week or two we go out to the country(only a 20 minute drive.. or less) to visit my grandparents. On this day we were picking apples. Zoe.

These are all kind of mixed up.... as you can see. Another at Guu's.

Outside of The Afterdark. Note the really gross mocha menu. Seriously...

Normal. Actually the cops were in full force that night because of those hooligan metal heads.. yeah right. The hick convention in the parking lot, not twenty feet from the po-po's, was definitely worth more attention than that.

On Main Street.

Packing up the gear. Don't forget your bongos, dude.

Another of Dan Mitchell. A veiw from the exterior window at Guu's. (Not candid. He completely KNOWS when the camera is on him.. at all times!)

That's it for now. I should, really, do this more often. I think I'm out of my funk and back to making photos and getting better at what it is I adore doing!

Springtime: Making Photos; really!

2009-05-21T11:14:00.009-05:00

Today, I made some photos in the backyard. It ocurred to me that I hadn't made any of the lilacs.. and good thing they're in full bloom! And, yes, I said, "made," in the most appropriate way possible. Made, in camera, manually, not a twinge of editing! I'm getting off of my lazy wedding photog donkey ass and making photos! Slightly overcast.. perfect!

mint

wild phlox.. looks wild, anyway; it's so delicate

The irises are threatening bloom. So, soon, it feels!

The, aforementioned, lilacs. They smell so sweet and spicy; I love it.

It's so sad they don't last very long.

There are such big blooms this year; I haven't seen them like this in a long time; lovely!

I'm feeling good and happy and excited about Summer being here soon, my Ivy Aurelia's second birthday on Saturday, and the move! I'm listening to Nirvana, while I write this and there's a nice cool breeze sweeping through my bedroom window, letting in the humid, Spring air. Just a good day :)

Yesterday, the wind gusted insanely; my daughters, mother, grandparents and I attempted to go fishing and, yes, my Mom did get a bass. I gutted, scaled and beheaded the poor bastard. I added sea salt, cracked pepper, thyme, chives, lemon, extra virgin... despite this it still tasted like nothing. Bass is not a good fish(I don't care what anyone says). It tastes like grease and air. It would've been better pan-fried with loads of onion and garlic... eh.. Nonetheless, here is a reverse play-by-play of it all:

finished product; grilled in a foil package

ready for grilling, with all the lovely flavouring, which did, well, nothing...

the poor fishy bastard entering a humorous state of rigor

The reason I say we attempted to go fishing, is that the wind gusts were 30+ mph and not a treat at all. Zoë, was really annoyed with the wind and was begging to go home.. :(

Ivy, is just, still, too little to do fishing, so she spent her time wandering and I think being frustrated I wouldn't give her pole back.. so was a ticking time bomb from the start.

My girls' hair is getting so long; or at least long by my standards of motherhood..

shoulder-length.

This was taken about a week prior to our fishing experience. The crab-apple trees are in bloom right now and made for a dreamy bokeh.

As the fruit trees begin to flower, the tulips begin to fade.

This was two weeks ago; the magnolias.. beautiful!

Goats!? (Goat, Zoë & Ivy).. all equally confused.

Zoë with a pinwheel. So pretty.

My banged up little, Ivy Aurelia, bandaid and all.. attempting, for about 30 seconds to pet my sister's cat, "Big Kitty." Yes, that's his name :P

He's a big, orange cat.

I love this capture.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed. I hope to post more often and not get so far behind in editing, which I still am... oh, well, hahaha... guess what I'm doing tonight!

(Still deciding on what to buy with a $50 Amazon giftcard.. and still have $8 on iTunes.. any ridiculous, or otherwise, suggestions are appreciated, hahahaha!)

Love, waiting, wanting and patience from lovely, Springy, Wisconsin!

-Cassie

Catching You Up on Things

2009-04-27T22:34:00.006-05:00

What is wrong with people?

Just in general. Nothing specific. People are wankers or completely ridiculious.. or both.

Anyway.

Yesterday, was my birthday; I turned 25. It feels good. I, almost simultaneously, got my new name in the mail(Jones), now official, as told by one, solitary, blue piece of paper from the Social Security Admin.. Feels good. I got some really great gifts, one being a teeny, wee iPod from Truly... and an instant Lomolito, from a lovely drunken night, to speak of. I had a very decent weekend. Thanks, sis and fam!

The months here, the past 7, have flown by despite winter. ..Or at least looking back. Only 5 more to go. I think 25 is a good number, thinking back to this whole b-day thing. This year ahead just feels good. I feel good. Could I say good, again? REAL good!

Easter, happened just recently, in case you are Jewish or don't own a calendar... or whatever. Here's my oldest with one of her eggs.. my clean three year old hardly got a drop of dye on herself.

These images are in no particular order. Not to be confusing, but just because blogger stinks with the whole userfriendly factor in uploading.

My sis and cousin and I were driving around in the woods/fields/marsh looking for wildlife and oh, what to we find, but a deer carcass.. look closely. It's a face under that sludge.

On a more positive note.. Our finished egg-dying results. We did the traditional vinegar and food coloring dye job and we also got a sort of irredescent kit and a "golden" egg kit. Neither of which looked good at all if you followed the directions, so Truly and I freestyled it all the way.. I like the results.

Also, on Easter, Truly thought it would be bunches of fun to taunt bulls.

Yeah.. no. Not so much fun. In fact, the whole lot of them started creeping their way towards us and one even started scraping his hooves and drooling. Needless to say we got out of there pretty quickly after that. Also, if you ever photograph these guys, be wary of the fact that they look right into the lens; a little unnerving.

Oh.. and a snapshot of my ridiculous pineapple upside-down cake. Optimum pineapple servings :)

Some, Green Tomato Pickles, I made last fall. They're made with lemon, rosemary, onion, mustard seed, white wine.. just good stuff. Mighty strong, but then, what's wrong with a strong pickle?

Our city does a lame little Easter egg hunt every year.. yes I said lame. In less than 15 seconds, all of the eggs were gone. Luckily the distraction of the river was right there and apparently far more interesting than getting trampled by insanely greedy parents toting their toddlers to grab as many eggs as possible. The river(Wisconsin River) is lovely.

This is what happens to carrots if you forget about them. They get hairy and sprout, whimsical, Who-like trees.

This is what happens when you have a little too much ambition with the pancake batter. Mr. Pancakeman.

My first go at icecream. Chocolate-Strawberry. I used damn fine ingredients, just so you know. I enjoyed it very much.. and plan on trying out lots more fun things with that little ice-cream machine. Oh, p.s. sort of a cheesy setup, but it get's the point accross.

Well, that's it for now. Thanks everyone for a rockin' b-day. Thanks for the chef-hat, too, Trul's, all I need is checkered pants and half a clue :) I had a good time going out, too!

My sleeping pill is kicking in and for some reason my iPod is psychic and playing sleepy music at me all the while I've been typing this up.

Hope you all are as optimistic and pleased with the coming year as I am.

See you soon. -Cassie

Portaits of a Boy.. and some random jabber..

2009-03-01T22:52:00.007-06:00

It has been a VERY long time since I posted a real blog. Well, too bad, I guess. No apologies here. Life is full of distractions and drama and divorce, so deal.

Just kidding.

Not really.

The "D" is really final this week. (rolling of eyes) ..and a sigh of relief. It took long enough.

It is zero degrees farenheit.. I'm not kidding. It's really getting old; the cold and the snow. Does anyone, here, really enjoy this crap?

This past week the fam(my sister, my parents, my daughters and I) did the waterpark thing for my oldest's third birthday. It was such a breathe of fresh air.. er.. chlorinated air anyway, to do something aquatic and to sort of laugh at the snow just outside the window.

"Hahaha.. we've escaped your wrath, at least for a fleeting, warm waterslide, moment."

For something completely different:

Aanyone who LOVES food will like this food porn link; I love it!

Meanwhile, I'm really annoyed with people, lately, who think they're all that and a bag of chips and don't see the value in the people around them, thus taking them for granted and shoving them aside. Super. Perhaps take a step back.

Meanwhile, I'm "all that" a bag of chips and a big pickle...

At the very least, I'm the big pickle..

Onto photos then?

These were taken back in December. I've had them done for some time and I've been distracted/lazy to do anything with them. Well, anyway, he's an adorable kid, about my daughters age, we'll call him, Jordan.

(the names and locations of the following story have been changed to make it seem like you're watching a crime show.. but it's not.. it's just a few cute pictures of a smashingly cute little boy.)

Ahhh, colour!

I love getting down on a kid's level or even below.. you always see pictures of kids from above. They may be small, little folks, but they're still people with big personalites. They deserve to be shown from angles that make them seem as big as they think they are. So get down on your belly with that camera, why don'tcha?

See, I threw a little Wisconsin accent, action in there :)

King of the snow mountain! The hill was probably 5 1/2 feet tall.. we got A LOT of snow this past December! Whew!
Photos snapped in a window are always great. I love every one that I've snapped of my daughters.. sort of a garage-lighting effect, no? Lovely ambient light, yes?
This is the end of show and tell. I'm sorry, I really just don't feel like posting more images or talking anymore, because I'm sure it will be more than random.

This blog has really been all over the place, I'm writing and nothing's flowing.. oh, well, there are photos.. :)

Love from, oh, so cold, Wisconsin.

-Cassie

Savoury Black Bean & Avocado Crepe

2009-02-03T11:07:00.001-06:00

Savoury Black Bean & Avocado Crepe
Originally uploaded by cassiephotojones

Short blog.

I haven't really posted anything of substance in quite a while. So here's an update:

I've recovered from my surgeries. I started my job at STEEL and then got fired for not being a bimbo, to put it simply... enough said, I think. I've been really lazy and making photos or even editing them. I'll be editing and posting some portraits soon.

Anyway, this was really tasty. Seasoned with cinnamin, cumin and chili sauce.

Love, kisses and wanting from 'Sconnie. -Cassie

26 Random Things

2009-02-03T10:14:00.003-06:00

Well, it's a silly list of things or rather questionairre off of a certain social networking site. I did this thing, quite overtired...

Photos soon.. real soon :)

1. I have two daughters; Zoe & Ivy and they are gorgeous.
2. Avocados are my favourite fruit.
3. I'm really tiny.. like 5'1" and 105 lbs.
4. I found some great, never warn before, leather flats at Goodwill for $6.99.
5. I wish I could BE outside everyday; I loathe wintertime in Wisconsin.
6. I make photos and food; that's what I love.
7. I say, "good lord," and "on the whole planet," and "ah, no," all the time...
8. I sleep with a fan every night; white noise and breeze are what I need.
9. I have a crappy Virgin phone that takes crappy photos, but it's cheap so I like it.
10. I have never eaten fois gras. The only opportunities I've had were when I was still going through my anti-organ eating phase, years ago.. shameful, I know.
11. I've only left the country to visit Paris, once, only for 9 days, but I cried when I left and bread will NEVER be the same.
12. I dropped out of Interior Design school and Photog school... really though...
13. Sardines are one of the best things to be eaten from a can; the other is corn.
14. I brine my turkey's the night before Thanksgiving and roast them upside-down for the first hour.
15. I am in love with the Ocean despite my certain phobia of drowning.
16. If I had to live in Wisconsin, I'd live in Madison; it's the best, most pedestrian friendly city in Wisconsin and best friend to a foodie.
17. I do not own an MP3 player... I feel like the odd one out.
18. I read Anne Rice, Anne Rice pen names and Thomas Harris, not much else floats my boat except for art history, entrepreneurial paperbacks and the handmade.
19. I am near-sighted and wear plastic glasses.
20. I'm a Nikon girl.
21. I want to learn to SPEAK Spanish; not just understand it.
22. I have never had a real "girl" friend; my sis is enough for me. I just can't get into the bitchy cat-fight world of girls and I just get along much better with guys.
23. I like Muddy Bears and Dark Chocolate Raisinets when I go to the movies; but I sneak them in often-times because I'm not willing to pay so much for candy.
24. I love bacon cheeseburgers with Cherry Coke. My new favourite is buffalo burger topped with bleu cheese, sharp cheddar and fried onion strings; phenomenal.
25. I want to go to culinary school, study Spanish cuisine and eventually (20 years down the road) become a food-photojournalist-critic type gal. Mainly to have a respected palette and strike fear in other chefs.. oh and to publish some foodie type porn.
26. I do want to be a restauranteur at some time in my life.

From cold and dry and depressing, Wisconsin -Cassie

Food, My Enemy?

2009-01-19T22:26:00.002-06:00

I have a food allergy.. or at least I think.

I think it's wheat.

This is devastating and confusing on so many levels.

I don't know what it means.

I'll keep you posted.

From less than freezing, Wisconsin, Cheers.

p.s. savour every bit of pizza, every crispy chew of baguette... don't take it for granted.

-Cassie

Music & Dreams

2009-01-09T17:52:00.014-06:00

I am down for the count. I feel much better than I expected I would.

If you don't know what I'm speaking of, refer back to the previous few blogs postings.

Listening to Jack Johnson Slacker Radio. It's good stuff and is effectively putting me in a good place.

The night before, I had a really vivid dream:

Imagine feeling small beside the large stone buildings of Paris, towering, with their sandy gray glow, gleaming from the evening sun. I find myself peering high above at a corner flat; it's on the top floor of one of these lovely buildings. The windows are tall and ornately trimmed in carved stone.

Place du Louvre, Paris, FR 2004.

This isn't, Paris. It's LA. It's a dream. I'm looking to buy an apartment, wide and open, a studio feel. The sight of the inside of the apartment is a blur, but I know it was perfect.

As I find myself stepping off of the elevator into a most, incredibly old-fashioned and ornate lobby, it reminds me of an old movie set. The blood red, Berber carpenter is laden with a golden, toile, design. The ceilings are high above, they're delicately spotted with heavy, crystal chandeliers against the cream, tin pressed patterns, spotted with the rainbow gleams projected by the flickering lights and crystals from below.

In the middle of the lobby, there is the most rich, bar. It is cozied by leather stools and flanked by cafe tables with high leather seats. Sofas are in the distance of the light of the lobby entrance. The walls glow of golds and reds and heavy tapestries and the intricacies of the worn walnut of the elevators and doors make me feel as if I've stepped inside a chocolate world I never want to leave.

Besides the natural light creeping in from the midday sun of the lazed, butler guarded, doors, the lights are low and flickering. The flanking tables are topped with simple, tiny, beaded lamps.

There is a small crowd. Everyone is taking time to enjoy life and smell the roses, or rather sweetly scented cigars and spirits; more like, Paris, than Los Angeles. A lazed, and lovely afternoon, in my new building, almost in slow motion.

To mine and my companion's, unshocking surprise, we find our bartenders to be less than expert. But that, is, perhaps, because they are much more expert as musicians and artists and lovers. They are, John Lennon, dressed in a smart, white suit, in full beard and long hair, and his wife, Yoko Ono, dressed smartly and to match, with her long, black, witch-like hair.

We both order the same; Whiskey and Coke and decide it wise to linger at a flanking table. Yoko, fills our drinks with quiet, professional concentration and slides the drinks gently on the bar with a soft smile. I believe the drinks were free, as I don't remember paying for them.

It did not occur to me until I had awoken, to the vibrating alarm of my cellphone, that John is dead and Yoko, no longer has that raven mop atop her head. Ah, the beauty of a vivid dream. I woke up quite happy; it was a really lovely dream.

Well...

My painkillers are waring and I am physically tired, but my mind wanters in a busy, artistic mode. I know it won't stop until I create something... and sleep won't be easy despite the pain and Vicodin.

Tell me, please, it won't be long until I'm there, with my feet in the ocean and my head in the hills, camera in hand and kisses from the sun on my face again. I miss you.

Good Day, from, a tired, pained, but tranquil and creative, Cassie.

Cheers

Kidney Yanking & Bartending?

2009-01-08T22:09:00.009-06:00

This is, oddly, going to sound familiar.

I am going in tomorrow morning for a kidney stone yanking of sorts. I've been sort of tensed up about it all day and now I'm finally just ready to have it over with, get myself back to being somewhat human again and starting work. Oh, yes, I got a job.

A great distraction from the winter and a means to make and save money for the great haul to California in the fall, I'll be working at STEEL NightClub, which has yet to open, but should be, like I said a good distraction. I've never bartended before, which is what I'll be doing, but I don't anticipate the Wisconsin crouds throwing me too much variety; I think the hardest thing will be learning the martini menu. Did I also mention I may be doing the photos for the "real" website? Wow, a photo job.. that's an interesting concept that I have not run into in quite a while. Perhaps I'll have the opportunity to wiggle my way into the kitchen now and again as well, which is where I'd much prefer to be, but I surmise tips aren't so good back there, though.

Ivy, October '08

I have posted photos lately to my flickr, just some oldies; Paris, Weddings and my girls over Christmas and last Autumn. It's less than tempting to get outside in 10F weather with a camera, so I've been lazy in the photomaking department these days. Though, I have, in fact, made some photos for a friend, of their nephew. I haven't gotten around to doing any sort of editing for that bunch, but soon.. perhaps that will be my recovery pet project in the days to come.

Well, I need to be trying to sleep now.

Goodnight from a tired, anxious, impatient and soon to be down-for-the-count, Cassie.

(enjoy your cookies, Joey)

Sunshine, Vicodin & Snow

2008-12-08T21:41:00.005-06:00

For now, I will dream to feel like that girl on the beach, with every flake of snow that falls. Something to look forward to; there is always something to look forward to, no matter how small.

I've been laid up the past few days.

I was passing my fourth kidney stone in 4 weeks.. and thought this was quite out of the norm for me.. I mean usually, it's one every three to four months.. but weekly is just too much. So my sis, Truly, took me to the ER; got a CT scan then some painkillers, an x-ray the next day then some lovely pre-surgery-surgery.. let's just say they're going to be yanking those buggers out.. and yes, I said, "they," as in many stones.

They(the doctors), stopped counting at ten stones in my left kidney, the largest about 1cm in diameter. Good thing though, my right kidney is clean! For those of you who know me.. this isn't anything new. Kidney annoyances are here to stay until I find a doctor with balls enough to remove said, left kidney. And no, there is nothing else I can do, except down insane amounts of water and lemon juice to try to prevent stones from developing in my filtering organ; that I have less than fondly come to know as Frankenstein's Monster living inside of me and grasping and grinding a never-ending gravel pit of pain, fatigue and stress.

I hope no one else can sympathise.

Well, so since my pre-surgery-surgery on Friday, I've been pumped full of Vicodin and gleefully unaware of the inches of snow accumulating outside; of which we are expected upwards of 10 inches overnight.

Oh, hooray...

Cabin fever is sure to set in at any moment if it hasn't already and will remain until March. I am ever so glad this is my last winter here, in Wisconsin, or anywhere Midwestern, for that matter. California is a sunny, sandy, lovely beacon that calls me in; where my mind will try to remain in the months of winter ahead and in my days of post-surgery to come.

Though, don't worry about me, all are outpatient procedures, unless something goes terribly wrong. I don't surmise things will... I'll be up and about myself in no time.

(And just to set the record straight; kidney stone pain is far worse than labour pain, for all of you curious.)

Cheers, love, kisses, jealousy & wanting, from snowy Central Wisconsin: -Cassie

Thanksgiving & Christmas Card Shoot

2008-12-03T10:34:00.002-06:00

Zoe & Gram
Originally uploaded by cassiephotojones

Among the photos of my turkey and one of my Mom's cake.. my Mom wanted a mini-shoot for her Christmas cards this year. It's also snowed a bit more than the last time I posted.. here are some links to my updated Flickr sets!

Winter

Portraits

Food

Daughters

Cheers, Love & Keep Warm! -Cassie

Pistachio Raspberry Macaroons & Apricot Rum Raisin Rugelach

2008-11-26T12:20:00.005-06:00

Every chilly day after Halloween ends, brings the real holiday season so much closer. The cold makes my body want to warm itself with lots of carbs.. and oh, yes, lots of fat! In turn, I become a "Martha Stewart" of sorts; making desserts, dinners and a turkey. So much different than my bright and sunny weathered concoctions. These two desserts/cookies, I've never made before, I am constantly doing this to myself, but I think I am quite pleaseantly surprised this time around.

The macaroons actually turned out quite flat, so better luck next time, and I'd also like to try a buttercream filling next time, as well. The combination of raspberry preserves and the light pistachio flavour are lovely with the sticky chewiness.. I definitely will be giving this a go next time. Honestly who cares what it looks like, and it doesn't look bad, if it tastes that amazing?

The rugelach came out like heaven; honestly the ugliest thing to assembly and quite sloppy, but once sliced after cooling a bit it looks quite lovely. The flavours are a blend of baklava and cinnamon roll.. with a good lot of rummed up raisins.

Also, here is a link to many more yummy photos of mine and others' confections!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!

Cheers & <3 -Cassie

Early Morning Winter...

2008-11-24T09:51:00.004-06:00

I woke up at 7am this morning with my girls, only to find more than just a slight dusting of snow.. there was enough to coat leaves and branches of the trees just enough and the early morning light was beautiful.. morning light is the most beautiful. It makes me want to be a morning person, but honestly don't cross my path until at least one cup of freshly pressed joe has entered my system. Here is a link to my flickr with the rest of the morning photos of which I took running around in flannel pajamas and slippers... ;)

my wintry flickr

Have a lovely day all! From slightly less than frozen, Wisconsin.
Cheers -Cassie

What if?

2008-11-17T10:33:00.004-06:00

Let's start with a quick review, shall we? I live in Wisconsin now, with my parents and sister. I like to think of this as a detour on my way to California.. an extended vacation, if you will, to get money saved and plans made. I was also supposed to find out the results of the rib contest I had entered, today, only to find I had an email this morning telling me all of the top 10 of us were being mailed the results.. hm. It snowed this morning only to have the sun come out. I recently did some photos for a local restaurant, The Wooden Chair and I'll be posting those once the wireless internet is up and running. So on to the point of this blog. What if?

What if it is never too late?

What if... I could plan on having multiple careers in my lifetime?

What if it IS okay to have many passions in life?

Is it?

I know I will never be able to please everyone.. if not anyone, but I could try to please myself, I suppose. The goal is not to dissapoint, but pleasing is so subjective, therefore a lost cause.

Something I've really known in my mind for some time now, but never really realized is that, I'm in my 20's. My sister alerted me to this fact, just the other day. I know I'm in my 20's, in fact, I'm 24. My point is, these are the game-making years, my only chance to grow up, get smart and make a plan. I know what I love, what I want and a sort have a round-about idea of a way to get there, it's just a matter of, really, getting these things out of my mind and into the real world.

I am a believer in, "it's never too late." It really isn't. But, it's never too early either. I need to be careful, I need to be smart, especially with two daughters whose future depends on my existance. So to make my existance the best I know I can, I will. I will be honest with who I am and not who people think I am. I will be honest with what I know I can do and not what people think I am incapable of. It's a struggle with the thoughts of others and the thoughts of myself and it's hard to get to the point where I feel I can make an informed decision without letting someone make my decision for me. It's not to say that anyone has ever told me what to do, it's that I've taken opions so literally in the past. I will change that for myself, for my girls, for the better. And take my time.

As most anyone reading this, knows, I love photography.. I find the uniqueness and the importance of capturing something through a piece of glass and having it be a record of that instant and symbolic for someone such an honour. It's a miracle of science to me and I love it. I will never stop making photos.

I am also a foodie.. and well if I had money, I'd really be. Cooking is probably the most relaxing thing I know how to do, and I do it moderately well. I compare the sounds of a symphony to the flavours of food. Think of it in layers. You can separate out the different sounds of the instruments and hear them individually but with all of the other sounds, it is amazing, it's extasy for your ears. The same goes for food, you identify a single flavour, each on it's own, but you also taste them together and they, too, sinfully harmonize.

Multiple careers? Yes. Facing myself, I see this timeline of sorts(is there such a thing as a 30 year plan? I've worn out the 5 year plan already):

-Assistant Photographer
-Culinary Student
-Chef
-Pottery Studio/Cafe Owner
-Photographer
-Food Critic

Shocked? Maybe. It's the truth. It's surely not too late, either, perhaps right in time. Yes, this little 105 pound, five foot girl from the Midwest plots to be a chef and a photographer, an entrepreneur and in my age a critic, striking fear.

Well, and you, too, can probably see that I enjoy rambling about life, about things important to me and it helps me to get them written down. My thoughts seem more, real, more solid and justified. Today, this is what's most important to me; planning and plotting the future, making a great life for my girls, finding my sunny beach in life, exploring and validating my passions, all of them, and most of all I'm not going to try so hard to please others anymore, it just doesn't work.

Cheers to you all! Photos to come! -Cassie

Uncertain Times: From An Easy Life To A Skewed Norman Rockwell Outlook

2008-10-03T23:58:00.002-05:00

A photoless vent.

Why is life so stressful? It seems like all my life things have been easy. And I really mean that. I've always known I'd have food on the table. I've always known there'd be a paycheck and if there wasn't; we had savings. I've always had someone sleeping next to me to warm my feet on and cry to. There was always something to look forward to; though that hasn't changed. I've always had somewhere warm to live. I've always loved or felt loved to one degree or another.

I have faith in myself that I will always be able to put food on the table, provide somewhere warm to live, work hard enough and I will always have something to look forward to. No matter how bad things get they will always get better. There is no one in my bed to warm my feet on or cry to now.

There is a tremendous feeling of guilt for me and for him, but also the knowing that it wouldn't be smart to keep going; and if we had we would've eventually hated each other. That is not something I ever want to happen. I want him to always be a part of my life and a friend. Just because we can't be married and are perfectly unsuitable as roomates, does not mean we can't be friends. He is the father of my children and there is a certain amount of love that goes with that. I can't brush aside ten years of my life and a relationship with someone that was more good than bad. It just wasn't the right good and the bad, was a sign of worse to come; I am fully confident in that. In fact, I have never been so sure of anything in my life. But being so sure about this one thing has turned my easy life upside-down. Things will be hard; they will get better.

Uncertainty is a venom in my veins that threatens to give me ulcers and cast me to the corner in lethargy out of mental exhaustion.

The calls have been made, the paperwork being completed, the plans taking shape, the making and mending of relationships and the new places to be and people to be with.

There is a little joy in uncertainty, but that is for the Norman Rockwell mind - at least the California-Cassie version. I have many thoughts in my mind of what I could be, how happy my children will be and how smart they are and will become... where will I be in five years? Hopefully somewhere close to the beach and most certainly somewhere creative and happy and perhaps with someone who wants those things, too.

I will always have a camera around my neck, an apron covered in clay, and two girls at my hip. My eyes will always be green and I will never stop sending back my steaks when they are wrong. I will always love the ocean, the smell and the sand. I will always love Autumn in Wisconsin, the smell and the chill.

I am the same person I was. I'm just a bit wiser and quite a bit more cautious and less of an optimist than I once was; still impatient though and passionate and helpful.

Well that is my vent. I'm feeling sad, but better and relieved to some degree. I'm glad for everyone who has made me who I am or has taught me wonderful things or loved me unconditionally.

Love and cheers! -Cassie

Uber-Choke-Nightmare-Job in LA?

2008-10-02T13:27:00.004-05:00

I am so in love with the fact that Uber is still around. Everyone who had sites there and was really a part of that community, put so much work into everything. I hope it's here to stay.

I went and saw Choke last night.. and oddly I thought it would be dirtier..? Funny movie though.. and yes I saw it by myself, like a loser, on a Wednesday night. I think I was one of five people in the entire theatre. Then, as usual went for a drive through downtown and found myself at the skatepark, which is always busy.. to chat on the phone.. was chilly already. I hate that winter is coming.. and I hear it was 100 degrees in LA yesterday?! Seriously!

I started my job as a framer and had my real first day this week. I say real because my first day involved watching safety videos and filling out paperwork.. so not really a first day. I enjoy the job very much.. I'm a very hands-on kind of gal and I think I'll be good at it and they definitely need the help; they're backed up a few weeks on orders and I'm glad to be there to help out with that. It's interesting to see what people have framed as well. I enjoy looking at artwork; this sort of envelops a lot of my interests into one job.. just wish I got paid a bit more. I really need to cut out the trips to the movies and my occasional fulfillment of the Starbucks addiction and then perhaps I might get to really saving some money for my move.

I don't have any photos to post today, oddly. It's been busy with the kids and starting a new job and I've really just been a lethargic mess.. that and a lack of sleep last night because my littlest girl woke up from a nightmare, I think, and wouldn't go back to sleep in her crib. Hopefully we'll have more luck tonight. I really need to get some photo orders out and edit the rest of my sis-in-law's senior photos, get a lawyer, pay bills, fill out some jury duty paperwork.. I have a lot on my plate and I'm still in my pajamas this afternoon. Oh, and I'm still looking for a job in LA as an assistant photog. I didn't think it would be so hard, but soon realizing how those types of positions easily get filled by someone they likely know already; hence why there are very few postings for jobs of that kind. Perhaps I'll have to stick to framing until I can find a photog job. I already miss it dearly.. I like having "work" to do.

Well, cheers.. and yes I will continue to blog here as well as Uber, but I think the blogs here will be more casual and less photo-filled.. perhaps a bit more personal and a tool for venting. -Cassie

Some Senior Photos

2008-09-27T08:59:00.004-05:00

This is sort of a rare occasion for me. I'm not working as an assistant these days.. in fact I'm going to start a job, in just a few hours at a framing shop. Moving to LA is going to cost some money, as well as the fact that I do have some debt that I'd like to get down so having a job that only pays $120 a week just isn't practical; as much as I may enjoy it. So off to hourly customer service for me.

This is my sister-in-law, Hannah. I made these on my most recent trip up to Wisconsin.. and there are more, I'm in the midst of editing right now. It's been a while since I've had to do anything like this, so please let me know what you think.

This one isn't as wide open as I'd like, but then I was handling the 24-120, so it is what it is.

This is probably my favourite thus far. Nice bokeh, maybe not enough, but lovely nonetheless. I think this is a really flattering angle for her. All natural light, no flash as we had to hop rocks across a creek to get to this location. It was right around an hour before sunset.
The obligatory around-the-corner shot. Works for me. I do have more.. a bit wider out and some verts. All images in this post are done with the 24-120.. I'm actually pretty impressed with it's compression. I did, though, get some in with my 85 and I'll post those once I get to editing them.
That's it for now. My first real post away from Uber.

More pics will be on my regular website & flickr.

Cheers! -Cassie

Uber Sad

2008-09-26T09:07:00.000-05:00

Uber has sadly gone down the tubes because of our ridiculous economy and eminent depression.

Hopefully that is an extreme statement.

This will be my new blog home.

Now I just have to find a good portfolio site... there is nothing like Uber; it really was the best!!

Cheers, Cassie.